Manchester City maintain interest in Premier League midfielder after failed £85 million deal | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have reportedly indicated that they maintain an interest in West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta – two years on from his failed switch to the Etihad Stadium.

It comes just days after Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission, bringing a close to a near two-year investigation from the Football Association that began in August 2023.

The 27-year-old had been accused of deliberately getting booked in four separate Premier League matches to influence the betting market, but those claims were found to be “not proven” during a recent hearing.

The commission did, however, uphold two charges of non-compliance during the investigation, with Paqueta set to learn his punishment for those breaches in due course. Despite that outcome, the clearance of the more serious accusations has been viewed as a significant personal and professional victory for the Brazil international, who had always maintained his innocence.

The decision could now have a direct impact on Paqueta’s future at West Ham, and more specifically on Manchester City’s long-standing interest in securing his services. City had been poised to complete an £85 million move for the playmaker in 2023 before the FA investigation derailed the process at the final stages.

Reports at the time suggested the then-Premier League champions were finalising personal terms when the FA’s formal announcement of charges forced the transfer to collapse.

Now, according to the information of GE Globo in Brazil, Manchester City have already sent word that Lucas Paqueta remains on their transfer radar, despite not yet having made an official approach to either the midfielder or West Ham.

From the side of the London club, and while remaining with the Hammers has not been ruled out, they have signalled to potential suitors that they would like to receive between £50 million and £60 million as a fixed fee and bonuses for the Brazilian.

With the market for Paquetá expected to ‘heat up’, according to the report, a return to Brazilian football is not currently in plans, either as a career project or due to the financial costs involved in a move to South America.

Paqueta’s importance to West Ham has grown steadily since his arrival from Lyon in 2022 for an initial £36.5 million, playing a central role in their Europa Conference League triumph during his debut season and registering four goals in 33 Premier League appearances last campaign.

But with his reputation now restored following the legal clearance, clubs at the top end of the European market may once again test West Ham’s resolve. For City, renewed interest in Paqueta would align with a continued effort to evolve their midfield options.

With Kevin De Bruyne now a figure of the past and İlkay Gündoğan’s long-term future in question amid interest from Galatasaray, and the arrivals of both Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders, it is clear that the club are undergoing a transitional phase particularly in the middle of the park.

With a price tag now considerably lower than the £85 million initially agreed in 2023 – and the legal cloud now lifted – Manchester City could view this as a more pragmatic opportunity to finally land one of their long-standing targets.

Whether they decide to act swiftly in the final weeks of the summer window may depend on other dominoes falling into place, including potential outgoings and the club’s final assessment of midfield depth ahead of the new season.